Loading...Here is a list of readings on 1 Thessalonians, most of which are relevant to all the undisputed Pauline epistles, with a couple of commentaries specifically on this significant, short letter. One benefit of serious commentaries is that they always begin by discussing major critical issues in understanding a book: authorship, date, historical context, major themes, disputed issues, and so on.
I devote a fuller discussion of 1 Thessalonians (an entire chapter) in my textbook, Bart Ehrman and Hugo Mendez, The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings, 8th ed. (Oxford University Press, 2024), ch. 20. That’s a good place to start for a fuller exposition of what I have given here in my nutshell posts. If you have an earlier edition of the book, it will be pretty much the same, except for the expanded bibliography.
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Dear Bart,
I’m enjoying your Misquoting Jesus podcast. On the 27th May ‘How Many Jesuses Are in the New Testament?’ (https://youtu.be/mc4yvM6QXeI?si=BoZDXyPa827hknbh), you claim at the 27m mark that John’s gospel does not predict the parousia. However, do we not find it in Jn5?
“Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself, and he has given him authority to execute judgment because he is the Son of Man. Do not be astonished at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and will come out: those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of condemnation” (Jn5:25-29)
In Lincoln’s commentary (Lincoln2005:204), he seems to think it is there.
Yes, as you probably know, it’s one of those very puzzling passages in John that runs completely contrary to his own views (e.g., ch. 10), a “remnant” of an apocalyptic view in a book that is anti-apocalyptic. Hugo Mendez argues though that it is not actually apocalyptic in John’s context. I should see if I can get him to write a blog post to explain that. (His book on John is coming out soon)
Can I welcome the EXPLORA I cruise ship in Zadar on June 12, 2025???
I’m sorry to say that the trip’s itinerary is already set and I’m obligated to stay with the group. Bummer! Maybe next time!